Ford Settles Sexual, Racial Harassment Case

(UPDATED) DEARBORN, MI — Ford Motor Company will pay up to $10.125 million to plaintiffs in a sexual and racial harassment case against it in connection with two of its Chicago-area facilities. While not admitting fault in a recently reached settlement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Dearborn-based automaker will pay female and African-American employees who were subjected to harassment through a claims process.

The EEOC announced the settlement on Tuesday. It investigated complaints at the Chicago Assembly Plant and the Chicago Stamping Plant.

“Ford has taken its responsibilities seriously and is committed to providing its employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment," said EEOC Chicago District Director Julianne Bowman in a statement.

“Ford chose to voluntarily resolve this issue without any admission of liability with the EEOC to avoid an extended dispute,” Ford said in a statement issued to Patch Wednesday afternoon. “Ford does not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind; we are fully committed to a zero-tolerance, harassment-free work environment at all facilities and to ensuring that Ford’s work environment is consistent with our policies in that regard.

“Ford conducted a thorough investigation and took appropriate action, including disciplinary action up to and including dismissal for individuals who violated the company’s anti-harassment policy.”

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In its investigation, the EEOC found “reasonable cause” to believe that personnel at the two Ford Chicago plants had subjected female and African-American employees to sexual and racial harassment. The EEOC also found that the company retaliated against employees who complained about the harassment or discrimination.

Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Besides money, the “conciliation agreement” ensures that during the next five years, Ford will conduct regular training at the two facilities. The company will continue to disseminate its anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies and procedures to employees and new hires as well as report to EEOC regarding complaints of harassment and/or related discrimination.

Ford also agreed to monitor its workforce regarding issues of alleged sexual or racial harassment and related discrimination.

"Ford Motor Company has worked with the EEOC to address complaints of harassment and discrimination at these two facilities and to implement policies and procedures that will effectively prevent future harassment or provide prompt action when harassment complaints arise,” Bowman said in the news release.

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